Listeners of “The Numbers” segment on American Public Media’s Marketplace, a daily recap of the stock market’s action, thought its upbeat version of “We’re in the Money” as background music is inappropriate for the times. So American Public Media came out with a bluesey version — eerily reminiscent of “St. James Infirmary” — which, says American Public Media, is also a nod to the song’s Depression-era roots. [%comments]
The “We’re In The Money” Blues
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Unsurprising from a program that sees itself as entertainment first, being informative second (at best).
I’ve long felt the “Numbers” theme to be inane, dragging what’s otherwise a pretty decent “retail” financial news product almost down to the CNBC level. Markets are not binary things – prices exhibit change based on a multitude of inputs, making an attempt to caption a day’s activity in one theme song or another is really just noise.
“Gold Diggers of 1933″ is an excellent film – I recommend it. Berkeley really knew what he was doing.
What is the big deal. I think its clever myself. The way it works: They play “we’re in the money” only when the stock market is doing well. when it drops they play “stormy weather” or something like that…
and whats wrong with being optomistic
Marketplace has a great irreverent tone – I really like the way they address the issues seriously, but not worshipfully.
The music is a fun, clear communicator of the daily stock market summary. I usually listen to the show while making dinner, and rarely watch the stock market during the day. It sets a background musical theme to the daily numbers.